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We are committed to getting your thoughts, ideas, and feedback on decision-making, planning, and policy formation. Help us build a better municipality by learning about current opportunities for comment and giving us your feedback.

Welcome to the Halifax Regional Municipality’s engagement hub.

The municipality has received development proposals for the Bedford Commons Opportunity Site and is reviewing information submitted by landowners within the site area and is awaiting additional documentation to be provided by the applicants. 

Bedford Commons Opportunity Site

The municipality is hosting community engagement in five rural communities to determine community support for the possibility of adding an area tax rate to support maintaining a new sidewalk or multi-use pathway infrastructure along the mainstreet of their community. This project is part of the municipality&#39;s new Rural Active Transportation Program approved by Regional Council <a href="https://www.halifax.ca/sites/default/files/documents/city-hall/regional-council/220208rc1554.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">February 8, 2022</a>, following recommendations from the <a href="https://halifax.ca/integratedmobility" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Integrated Mobility Plan</a> and <a href="https://www.halifax.ca/transportation/transportation-projects/active-transportation" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Active Transportation Priorities Plan</a>.Included in Regional Council&#39;s approval was the addition of 17 new Candidate Rural Communities to the Active Transportation Priorities Plan. Regional Council also adopted a new <a href="https://cdn.halifax.ca/sites/default/files/documents/city-hall/legislation-by-laws/2022-008-adm.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Administrative Order Respecting the Implementation of Area Rates to Fund Sidewalks Outside of the Urban Tax Area in the Halifax Regional Municipality (AO 2022-008-ADM)</a> to direct the implementation of the Active Transportation Rural Program.The priority under the program is the construction of sidewalks or multi-use pathways (wider paved pathways) in rural community centers to provide safer and more accessible options for those who walk, cycle and roll - creating improved connections that help support overall community development. The first five communities prioritized (listed in alphabetical order) out of the 17 added to the Active Transportation Priorities Plan include:<ul><li>Hubbards</li><li>Lucasville</li><li>Musquodoboit Harbour</li><li>Upper Tantallon</li><li>Porters Lake</li></ul>These communities were prioritized based on criteria such as population density, safety, equity, community planning and advocacy, and number of local or regional destinations. Information received through the engagement process will be submitted to Regional Council for final decision on implementing the area tax rate and area rate boundary. Approved candidate rural communities will then enter planning, design and construction of the sidewalk or multi-use pathway. Construction is conditional on available budget. Construction is planned to be completed by 2032. Maintenance will be on-going. <img src="https://s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/ehq-production-canada/3486243818a4747fd2a1bc588b5ba55ae66ea9c0/original/1705355273/54ad991457e6d5fadd31e77ad67101ff_MHACC_Community_Plan_p72-min.PNG?1705355273" alt="Example of a community centre with a sidewalk (Source: Musquodoboit Harbour Community Development Pl">Example of a community centre with a sidewalk (Source: Musquodoboit Harbour Community Development Plan)<h2>Area Tax Rate</h2>Pending Community Council and Regional Council approval, an area tax rate of $0.033 per $100 (or $33 per $100,000) of assessed property value will be applied in perpetuity to property owners annually starting in the fiscal year after the sidewalk or multi-use pathway is substantially completed.Example of change to the Property Tax Bill:<table><tbody><tr><td class="fr-thick" style="text-align: center; width: 51.9608%; background-color: rgb(239, 239, 239);">Assessed Property Value</td><td style="text-align: center; width: 47.7124%; background-color: rgb(239, 239, 239);">Area Rate Applied to Property Bill Annually</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: 51.9608%;">$100 - $100,000</td><td style="text-align: center; width: 47.7124%;">$0.033 - $33</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: center; width: 51.9608%;">$100,000 - $200,000</td><td style="text-align: center; width: 47.7124%;">$33 - $66</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: center; width: 51.9608%;">$200,000 - $300,000</td><td style="text-align: center; width: 47.7124%;">$66 - $99</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: center; width: 51.9608%;">$300,000 - $400,000</td><td style="text-align: center; width: 47.7124%;">$99 - $132</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: center; width: 51.9608%;">$400,000 - $500,000</td><td style="text-align: center; width: 47.7124%;">$132 - $165</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: center; width: 51.9608%;">$500,000 - $1,000,000</td><td style="text-align: center; width: 47.7124%;">$165 - $333</td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: center; width: 51.9608%;">$1,000,000 - $2,000,000</td><td style="text-align: center; width: 47.7124%;">$333 - $666</td></tr></tbody></table><h2> </h2><h2>Area Rate Boundary</h2>The <a href="https://cdn.halifax.ca/sites/default/files/documents/city-hall/legislation-by-laws/2022-008-adm.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Administrative Order </a><a href="https://cdn.halifax.ca/sites/default/files/documents/city-hall/legislation-by-laws/2022-008-adm.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">the Implementation of Area Rates to Fund Sidewalks Outside of the Urban Tax Area in the Halifax Regional Municipality</a> specifies that the boundary for the area rate will be the community area, but that it could extend into neighbouring rural communities if they are deemed to benefit from the implementation of the sidewalk or multi-use pathway. The inclusion of neighbouring communities is considered if the destinations in the community with the sidewalk or multi-use pathway were used by residents from other communities (e.g., large grocery stores, regional public services, schools, etc.).The proposed area rate boundary map for each community prioritized is located to the right of this webpage.<h2> </h2><h2>Get Involved</h2>Porters LakeIn-person engagement scheduled for Monday, January 22, 2024 with a backup date of February 5 in case of inclement weather.<a href="https://www.shapeyourcityhalifax.ca/rural-active-transportation/widgets/164018/key_dates" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">See key dates for details.</a><h4>Porters Lake Online survey</h4>Whether attending the in-person engagement session or not, Porters Lake residents are encouraged to <a href="https://www.shapeyourcityhalifax.ca/rural-active-transportation/surveys/area-rate-project-survey-porters-lake" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">complete the online survey</a> available at the bottom of the page.For a paper version of the survey, please contact Emma Martin at 902.490.4920 or <a class="external" href="mailto:martinem@halifax.ca">martinem@halifax.ca</a>.<hr><h3>Musquodoboit Harbour </h3>In-person engagement scheduled for Wednesday, January 31, 2024 with a backup date of February 7, 2024 in case of inclement weather.<a href="https://www.shapeyourcityhalifax.ca/rural-active-transportation/widgets/164018/key_dates" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">See key dates for details.</a><h4>Musquodoboit Harbour Online survey</h4>Whether attending the in-person engagement session or not, Mosquodoboit Harbour residents are encouraged to <a href="https://www.shapeyourcityhalifax.ca/rural-active-transportation/surveys/area-rate-project-survey-musquodoboit-harbour" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">complete the online survey</a> available at the bottom of the page.For a paper version of the survey, please contact Emma Martin at 902.490.4920 or <a class="external" href="mailto:martinem@halifax.ca">martinem@halifax.ca</a>.<hr><h3>Upper Tantallon</h3>Details and survey will be published when engagement events are scheduled.<hr> <h3>Hubbards</h3>Details and survey will be published when engagement events are scheduled.<hr><h3>Lucasville</h3>Details and survey will be published when engagement events are scheduled.

Area Rate for Sidewalks and Multi- Use Pathways 
in Rural Community Centres 

The Halifax Regional Municipality is in the process of updating its 2013 Urban Forest Master Plan. The new Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP) will guide the management of the urban forest until 2034 through a period of rapid community growth and changing climate. The municipality wants your input to establish a collective vision and values. The updated UFMP will include:<ul><li>baseline information on the current state of Halifax&rsquo;s urban forest</li><li>a long-term vision for the city&rsquo;s urban forest</li><li>program goals, recommendations and targets</li><li>operational plans, policies and specifications to support the plan&rsquo;s implementation</li></ul>There will be two phases of public engagement during the development of the UFMP. The first phase of engagement will take place in February 2024 to inform the plan&rsquo;s vision and goals. The second phase of engagement will happen in the spring of 2024 to collect feedback on the draft new UFMP. To stay up to date with the project, please subscribe for project updates.<h2 id="get-involved-5">Get Involved</h2>The municipality is looking for your feedback on how we maximize the positive impacts trees can have in our region. Following public engagement, staff will review and consider the feedback provided, draft the new UFMP plan and present it to Regional Council for final review and approval. Join us for a public open house on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at the Canada Games Centre or on Thursday, Feb. 22 at the Zatsman Sportsplex. See <a href="https://www.shapeyourcityhalifax.ca/urban-forest-management-plan/widgets/173545/key_dates" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">key dates</a> for details.Can&#39;t make one of our public engagement sessions? We&#39;d still love to hear from you. Complete the online survey available below.

Urban Forest Management Plan 

Welcome to Talk Transit &ndash; a platform for current and potential transit users to let Halifax Transit know their thoughts on important transit topics. Sign up to Talk TransitTo make sure we are hearing from everyone, we need some basic information about you. All sign up information is confidential. Mandatory fields will be marked with a (*). What to ExpectYou will receive an email inviting you to participate when new surveys become available. You can select which types of surveys you would like to be notified about, and from there decide which surveys you want to participate in. Most surveys will take 5-10 minutes of your time. Survey ResultsSurvey responses will be used to inform current and future Halifax Transit policies and projects. After each survey closes, a document will be published showing survey results and next steps. In accordance with Section 485 of the Municipal Government Act (MGA), any personal information collected in survey forms on this platform will only be used by municipal staff and, if necessary, individuals and/or organizations under service contract with the Halifax Regional Municipality for purposes relating to informing current and future Halifax Transit policies and projects.If you have any questions about the collection and use of this personal information, please contact the Access and Privacy Office at 902.943.2148 or <a href="mailto:privacy@halifax.ca">privacy@halifax.ca</a>

Talk Transit

<img src="https://s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/ehq-production-canada/1ea7728e2c30e91312a925f8e83bc5a898b50571/original/1712234474/e454d1442bd0a68b5122eea982c55788_park_shot.JPG?1712234474" style="width: 531px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"> Share your feedback on accessibility across the Halifax region The municipality is seeking feedback on accessibility across the Halifax region to help inform an update of the <a href="https://www.halifax.ca/about-halifax/diversity-inclusion/accessibility/accessibility-strategy">Accessibility Strategy</a>, approved by Halifax Regional Council in May 2021. The strategy outlines 30 actions for improving accessibility and representation for individuals with disabilities and aligns with the <a href="https://novascotia.ca/accessibility/" target="_blank">Nova Scotia Accessibility Act</a>. The update is expected to be complete by the end of 2024.Residents are invited to share their feedback at a series ten in-person and virtual engagement sessions available across the Halifax region. The same information will be presented at all sessions:<ul><li>Wednesday, April 17, 1-3 p.m. via Zoom (virtual session)*</li><li>Wednesday, April 17, 6-8 p.m. at Alderney Library (2 Ochterloney Street, Dartmouth) in the Helen Creighton Room<s> </s></li><li>Thursday, April 18, 6-9 p.m. at Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia, Mumford Professional Building (Suite 2120, 6960 Mumford Road, Halifax), Classroom 18</li><li>Wednesday, April 24, 1-3 p.m. at the Mi&rsquo;kmaw Native Friendship Centre (2021 Brunswick Street, Halifax), in the Joan Glode Room</li><li>Wednesday, April 24, 6-8 p.m. at the Halifax Central Library (5440 Spring Garden Road, Halifax), in the BMO Room</li><li>Thursday, April 25, 6-8 p.m. via Zoom (virtual session)*</li><li>Wednesday, May 1, 1-3 p.m. via Zoom (virtual session)*</li><li>Wednesday, May 1, 6-8 p.m. AKOMA Bauld Centre (1018 Main Street, Westphal)</li><li>Thursday, May 2, 1-3 p.m. via Zoom (virtual session)*</li><li>Thursday, May 2, 6-8 p.m. at the Halifax Central Library (5440 Spring Garden Road, Halifax), in the BMO Room</li></ul>*Registration is not required, except for virtual sessions, where residents are asked to email <a href="mailto:accessibility@halifax.ca">accessibility@halifax.ca</a> to receive a link to participate.What to expect during the sessions: Residents are invited to provide feedback on the strategy&rsquo;s actions, which fall under five key areas: Built Environment, Goods &amp; Services, Information &amp; Communication, Employment and Public Transportation and Transportation Infrastructure. A formal presentation will be delivered at each session and multiple formats will be available for attendees to share feedback, including written and verbal. Municipal staff will be available to answer questions at each session.For those unable to attend the in-person or virtual community engagement sessions but would like to provide their feedback on accessibility across the Halifax region, please contact 311 by May 2, 2024.Feedback will be summarized in a What We Heard report that will be shared on the project webpage. <div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img src="https://s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/ehq-production-canada/22a3fa1ae78247d5016feced1da1eff4e117143b/original/1712234525/93e72b86ffbb27553310bb28d02d6798_Capture.JPG?1712234525" style="width: 535px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></div> About the Accessibility StrategyIn May 2021, Halifax Regional Council approved the municipality&rsquo;s Accessibility Strategy, which outlines 30 action items to help improve accessibility and representation for people with disabilities. During the community engagement taking place throughout April and May 2024, the municipality is seeking residents&rsquo; feedback on 24 of these action items. Let us know if you think the action items are still relevant, if they will help improve accessibility in the Halifax region and if you think there is anything missing from this strategy. Your input will help inform an update to the strategy, expected to be complete by the end of 2024.Completed and Ongoing Action Items<ul><li>an increased number of accessible taxis throughout the municipality</li><li>internal work is ongoing to ensure the strategy aligns with other municipal and provincial projects</li></ul>Public Transportation and Transportation Infrastructure<ul><li>create a system where residents can book Access-a-Bus services online and create an automatic fare system to improve Access-a-Bus service</li><li>create a system for booking all types of accessible transportation within the Halifax region (e.g. taxis, Access-a-Bus, ferries)</li><li>create a passenger survey to evaluate accessible transportation services</li><li>ensure all bus stops are accessible and well maintained</li><li>provide more information to the disability community about snow removal</li></ul>Built Environment<ul><li>ensure that all the future municipal infrastructure (e.g. buildings, parks, municipally-owned streets) meet a high-level standard of accessibility (Rick Hansen Gold Certification and CSA B651-18 standards)</li><li>ensure that all current municipal infrastructure meet a high-level standard of accessibility (Rick Hansen Gold Certification and CSA B651-18 standards)</li><li>create a system to check buildings, parks, playgrounds and trails to ensure areas stay accessible</li><li>ensure all signs, walkways and equipment for beaches, parks, playgrounds and recreational facilities are accessible for people with disabilities</li></ul>Goods and Services<ul><li>improve services for accessible recreation to reflect increasing demand (e.g. hiring more recreational support employees)</li></ul>Information and Communication<ul><li>increase training for municipal employees on how to serve and accommodate people with disabilities</li><li>create an internal guide for the municipality&rsquo;s promotional materials (e.g. posters, social media) to standardize accessible content</li><li>ensure external and internal websites meet a high-level of standard for accessibility (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Minimum Level AA)</li><li>use plain language and clear formatting throughout external communications</li><li>provide additional information on halifax.ca about accessibility and update information regularly</li></ul>Equitable Employment at the Municipality <ul><li>collect and track information about the number of municipal employees who self-identify as having a disability</li><li>ensure that all municipal job postings list the kind of accommodations that are available for the job and during the hiring process</li><li>develop a Workplace Accommodation Policy that outlines a formal process for how the municipality will provide accommodations for employees and job candidates with disabilities</li><li>ensure employees in management roles within the municipality receive training about workplace accessibility</li><li>establish partnerships with schools to provide work placements and internship opportunities for students with disabilities</li><li>review the municipality&rsquo;s hiring practices to ensure equitable employment opportunities for people with disabilities</li><li>develop a system to cross-promote job postings with agencies who support job seekers with disabilities</li></ul>

Accessibility Strategy

Neighbourhood Feedback Survey